Location derived presence information

Abstract

The number of messages required in networks where both location and presence services are deployed may be reduced, by retrieving presence data from messages otherwise intended to provide only location information. Thus, information determined in a location service scheme is utilized to provide a presence service as well. A location server requests mobile subscriber (MS) information from a Core Network (CN) Node (i.e. HLR, MSC, etc.) that can be used in determining the Location of the MS. A single message aggregates retrieval of information for two services, specifically, for both location and presence.

1. A method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device, comprising:
 receiving, by a physical location server, a request for location information regarding a wireless device; 
 retrieving, with said physical location server, said location information regarding said physical wireless device in response to said request for location information; and 
 triggering transmission of presence information from said physical location server in response to said location information request regarding said physical wireless device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , wherein said presence information comprises at least one of the following:
 a state of said physical wireless device; and 
 a status of said physical wireless device. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said presence information is provided to a presence application separate from an application requesting said location information. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said location information and said presence information are maintained in a home location register. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 retrieving said location information regarding said physical wireless device from a core network node. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said core network node is a message service center. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining last known location information regarding said physical wireless device to provide as said location information. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said location information is obtained from cached memory. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said location information is obtained from a radio access network. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said location information is obtained from a global positioning satellite (GPS) system. 
 
     
     
       11. A location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device, comprising:
 a location server to receive a request for location information regarding a physical wireless device; 
 a mobile switching center (MSC) to provide location information regarding said physical wireless device in response to said request for location information; and 
 a presence server to transmit presence information triggered in response to said location information request regarding said physical wireless device. 
 
     
     
       12. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein said presence information comprises at least one of the following:
 a state of said physical wireless device; and 
 a status of said physical wireless device. 
 
     
     
       13. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said presence information is provided to a presence application separate from an application requesting said location information. 
 
     
     
       14. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said location server accesses a home location register to obtain said location information and said presence information. 
 
     
     
       15. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said location server accesses a core network node to request said location information regarding said physical wireless device. 
 
     
     
       16. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said core network node is a message service center. 
 
     
     
       17. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said location server obtains last known location information regarding said physical wireless device to provide as said location information. 
 
     
     
       18. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said location information is obtained from cached memory. 
 
     
     
       19. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said location information is obtained from a radio access network. 
 
     
     
       20. The location services system for providing presence information regarding a wireless device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said location information is obtained from a global positioning satellite (GPS) system.